CLACKAMAS, Ore. – Two popular Oregon fishing destinations will have an added attraction for anglers over the next two months – the possibility of landing a fish worth $1 million. Henry Hagg Lake in Washington County and Detroit Lake in Marion County are among 65 bodies of water nationwide that have been chosen for inclusion in the “Wanna Go Fishing for Millions” contest sponsored by Cabella’s, Outdoor Channel, and fish and wildlife agencies from approximately 20 states.

The contest starts May 14 and continues through July 14, and participants must register on-line to be eligible for prizes. Register by going to the Cabela’s website at www.cabelas.com/fishformillions.

“We are very excited about Oregon’s participation in the Wanna Go Fishing for Millions contest,” said Matt Eastman, host of Outdoor Channel’s “Wanna go Fishing” program. “If $2.2 million doesn’t get your juices going I don’t know what will.”

That’s the combined value of the prizes, with a grand prize of $1 million. Participating water bodies have from 10 to 15 fish, each tagged with small “spaghetti” tags with unique numbers. Anglers lucky enough to catch a fish with one of these tags can claim their prize by entering the tag number and other information on the Cabela’s website. Prizes include Costa sunglasses, Sterry Topsider shoes, Abu Garcia reels, Berkley line, AT&T computer routers, and Cabela’s gift cards.

In addition to the prizes, anglers will have the benefit of catching some nice fish. At Hagg Lake, for example, ODFW biologists have tagged a total of 15 bass ranging from 2-5 pounds.

“Can you imagine the excitement of catching a five-pound largemouth bass and finding a tag that could be worth a million dollars?” said Gary Galovich, ODFW’s Western Oregon warmwater fish biologist.

“Trout don’t hold up like bass, and you could find them just about anywhere in Detroit Lake,” said Alex Farrand, assistant district fish biologist for ODFW’s South Willamette Watershed. ODFW opted to participate in the contest in an attempt to encourage people to get out and discover the joy of fishing, according to Rhine Messmer, ODFW’s Recreational Fisheries Program manager.

There is one other important thing to remember. If you should be lucky enough to catch one of these prize winning fish - just remember who told you about it! Ed.